Assembly Line

Lean Manufacturing Assembly lines

Uniload equalizing suspension modules are ideal for heavy tooling assembly structures and platforms that need to be in continuous progressive LEAN concept movement and still have the precision tooling points totally isolated from variations in the travel surface. Floor irregularities that would otherwise cause racking and distortion to the assembly "hard tooling points." Uniload's equalizing suspension has essentially the same result as linear ball bearing rollers moving on precision ground rails or shafts and heavy in-floor foundations. These applications are normally straight-line travel that incorporate the BrailleRail guidance system and power travel Uniload wheel modules; however, wire guidance or other navigational systems are fully adaptable and curved travel baths can easily be accommodated.

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Large Tooling Structures
Large precision tooling structures can be an ideal application for the Uniload technology. Very large structures can be nimbly maneuvered into final alignment positions, where the inherent vertical lift and lower capability of the Uniload suspension can lower the structure down onto precision alignment cones or other hard tooling points in the floor (Commonly referred to as "docking"). Whether the Uniload wheel modules are built into the tooling structures or the structures are designed with a raised "tunnel" space that will allow a low profile transporter to drive under, then lift and carry the tooling structure will be at discretion of the tool designers. As taught in the following paragraphs, this technology will provide creative engineers with an entirely new set of rules on which to base tool design constraints. The ability to maneuver in extremely narrow spaces with loads ranging up to well over one hundred thousand pounds, are the inherent capability of Uniload and can be exploited in ways never before thought possible.

This technology represents a new degree of “out-of-the-box” concepts for custom systems design. Engineering firms, along with systems integrators like A3 Integrators or Comau-Pico, and major machinery builders might do well to consider this technology in support of their clients. A design firm that needs to offer their clients major economical and efficient new means of handling large component assembly will enjoy an entirely new freedom from the design restrictions of the past for wheel, rail, and caster supported tooling assemblies.  The reliance on overhead cranes can largely be confined to lighter capacities that are only used to bring pieces into the assembly process.  Assembly lines now can be designed to travel around corners, avoid columns and even perform U-shaped travel patterns.  And further, move laterally to adjoining bays or move across driveways to another building.

Massive scaffolding, access platforms and bridges, and alignment tooling can travel with the assembling components in match speed and guidance systems.